Colombia’s civilians hit the hardest by armed conflicts, Red Cross says
The impact of armed conflict on civilians in Colombia over the past year has been the worst in a decade, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross. In their annual report, the humanitarian group highlighted the deteriorating security situation in the country, with the number of people displaced doubling to 235,000 in 2025. Additionally, the report noted a 99% increase in the number of people subjected to lockdowns imposed by rebel groups in small towns and villages.
For years, rebel groups and drug traffickers have been fighting the Colombian government for control of rural areas, particularly those linked to the cocaine trade. While a peace deal in 2016 between the Colombian government and the FARC rebels helped reduce rural violence, the security situation has since worsened as smaller groups vie for control over territories once held by the FARC.
President Gustavo Petro’s administration has been working to reduce violence through peace talks with remaining rebel groups and ceasefires. However, critics argue that these ceasefires have allowed rebel groups to regroup and strengthen their hold over communities, leading to an increase in the recruitment of children into criminal groups.
Political violence has also escalated in Colombia, exemplified by the shooting of a presidential candidate during a rally in Bogota last year, with authorities attributing the attack to a rebel group. The United Nations Human Rights office in Colombia has warned of a backslide in the country’s security situation, citing a 9% increase in the murders of human rights defenders.
In 2025, 965 people were killed or injured by explosive devices, including landmines and drones, marking a 33% increase from the previous year. The Red Cross called on all parties involved in Colombia’s armed conflict to respect the rights of civilians and protect those who no longer wish to participate in hostilities, emphasizing that adherence to international humanitarian law is non-negotiable.
